Short Summary

Film from Poland shows Szczecin district June 18 as 15 fire brigades, military detachments, militia and civilians were mobilized to fight a roaring forest blaze.

Description

Film from Poland shows Szczecin district June 18 as 15 fire brigades, military detachments, militia and civilians were mobilized to fight a roaring forest blaze.

A long drought and strong winds helped the flames to spread quickly over large wooded areas near the German border. Hundreds of animals - hares, boars and deer - died in the inferno. Scattered ammunition, left over from the last war, exploded, adding fuel to the raging refire.

Early reports estimated at least 1500 acres of woodland completely destroyed in the holocaust. The main blaze is now under control but smaller fires are reported still blazing in several places.

Official sources say the fire may have been started by flying sparks from a tractor's exhaust.